Redefining Conservation

Join us to learn about the state of our coastal waters and ecosystems and how we can protect them. For over 40 years, Glenn Page has been working on creating pathways to place-based transformation of our coasts/oceans/watersheds that integrate numerous social and ecological issues.  His advanced degrees are in interdisciplinary marine science and evaluation and has been working at the interface of science, policy and practice. As r...

In this episode, we talk about community land trusts, affordable housing, food access, and energy democracy. A lot in a short amount of time! We hear from Greg Watson, the current Curator of the World Game Workshop and World Grid Project at the Schumacher Center for New Economics, focusing on community food systems and the intersections between local and geo-economic systems. Drawing inspiration from Buckminster Fuller, he has dedi...

In this episode, we talk to Desiree Vargas, Food Sovereignty Director of Presente! Maine is a non-profit organization working to empower displaced indigenous and Afro-Latinx peoples of Maine through survival programs, community power building, cultural celebration, and transformative healing practice. Presente! targets three key program areas: Community Health and Wellness (Bienestar), Food Sovereignty and Land Stewardship, and Lea...

Tune in to episode 5 to hear from Sally Stockwell about biodiversity and endangered species in Maine. Sally Stockwell is the Director of Conservation for Maine Audubon. She is a wildlife ecologist with experience in the conservation of nongmo, rare, and endangered species in freshwater wetlands, coastal beaches and marshes, and northern forests. She has additional experience as an interpretive naturalist, environmental education in...

We'll be talking to Amara Ifeji and Tony Antione about outdoor accessibility and the importance of mobilizing our youth to join the movement. Amara Ifeji is a climate and environmental justice leader, recognized as a National Geographic Explorer and recipient of prestigious awards. She is the Director of Policy and Advocacy at the Maine Environmental Education Association, where she advocates for systemic transformation.
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In this episode, we'll dive into forestry conservation in Maine with Eliza Townsend and John Hagan. Eliza is an experienced leader in Maine politics, advocacy, non-profits, and conservation. She served in the Maine House of Reps for 8 years, then was Deputy Commissioner and Commissioner of Maine Conservation.  John Hagan is a Ph.D. ecologist who was President of Manomet for 11 years. He left to do independent research and clim...

In this episode, we talk to Luke Sekera-Flanders and Nicki Sekera about the importance of protecting our water resources. Luke is the co-founder and Youth Lead of Community Water Justice, a statewide network of frontline communities fighting against water privatization and working to ensure sustainable access to clean water for all.
Nickie Sekera is a water rights advocate and co-founder of Community Water Justice. She is also...

In this episode, we speak with Lokotah Sanborn, a community organizer and member of the Penobscot Nation with extensive experience in racial and environmental justice. We'll discuss the importance of land access, land rights, and the role of the Landback movement in our current conservation structure. Tune in to learn more about how you can help protect our wildlands for future generations. 

Links from This Episode:

This week, we're releasing a special episode featuring a lightly-edited recording of our October webinar "Visioning a Resilient Future: The Role of Farmland Protection in Reaching Maine's Climate Goals." In this special edition, we welcome distinguished guests including Senator Craig Hickman, Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry Commissioner Amanda Beal, Chelsea Gazillo of American Farmland Trus...

In this episode we’ll be introducing our SCM team including our staff, Nyalat Biliew and Matthew Cannon, our 30x30 team volunteers Anna Siegel, Philip Mathieu, and Minot Weld, and our two interns, Nasreen Sheikh-Yousef and Grace Deng.  Join us as we discuss the meaning of 30x30, what conservation looks like in Maine today, and what we have in store for the coming episodes.

Redefining Conservation is written, edited, and produced by ...

Sierra Club Maine launched our first ever podcast series, Redefining Conservation, on November 1st, 2023. The podcast focuses on the need to preserve 30 percent of the state’s land, water, and forest by 2030, and beyond. Specifically, it will explore the 30x30 goal’s impact on Maine and the strategies used to achieve it. As climate change and habitat destruction exacerbate biodiversity loss, protecting what’s left will be crucial. ...

In this episode we’ll introduce you to our New Director, Pete Nichols. Pete Nichols, a Maine native, joined Sierra Club Maine as Chapter Director in September 2023. Prior to that, he served as the Executive Director of Edgecomb-based Midcoast Conservancy. He has also worked as the International Organizing Director for Waterkeeper Alliance, an international network of 350 clean water advocates in 46 countries around the globe. Pete ...